Dhaka, Jan 02 (V7N) – With the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the party has officially lost its chairperson. However, according to the BNP constitution, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has automatically assumed the responsibilities of the party’s leader.

The party is currently observing a seven-day mourning program for Khaleda Zia. Tarique Rahman will not formally exercise the chairmanship until the standing committee meeting at the end of the mourning period. A formal announcement regarding the party leadership will be made following this meeting.

Khaleda Zia had taken over the reins of BNP after the death of its founder, Ziaur Rahman, and was elected chairperson within two and a half years of entering politics.

After Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment on February 8, 2018, Tarique Rahman, the senior vice chairman, became acting chairman in accordance with Article 7(c), sub-clause 2 of the party constitution, which empowers the senior vice chairman to perform all duties of the chairman in the temporary absence of the party leader. He has been serving in this role since February 2018.

END/SMA/AJ